YOUNGSTERS living on the outskirts of Exmoor gathered in Simonsbath last week calling for more opportunities for young people to get involved in National Parks and help them shape the future of the parks.

Mosaic Young Champions is a project which helps disadvantaged 16-25 year olds living on the outskirts of the Exmoor, Lake District, New Forest, Northumberland and the Yorkshire Dales build their confidence and gain new employment.

Ollie Barnett has been involved in the project in Exmoor since the beginning in 2013. Through Mosaic he started volunteering with the Youth Hostels Association and has now been offered a job with them in Swanage.

“Mosaic has helped me build my confidence and meet so many awesome new people. If it wasn’t for the project, I would never have got to the point in my life I am at now!,” Ollie said.

Janette Ward, vice chairman of the Campaign for National Parks who went to the event said: “Involving young people in our National Parks is one of the Campaign for National Park’s primary goals and the Mosaic project has made a significant impact in achieving this. Mosaic exists because we realised there were many young people who did not have the opportunity to visit National Parks and experience the wonders and benefits of these inspirational and wild landscapes.”

Dave Gurnett, Learning and Outreach for the Exmoor National Park Authority said: “The special part of being with the Mosaic Young Champions is developing a sense of where they have come from and comparing it with where they are now; being bright, energetic and hugely supportive of National Parks. Some or their personal journeys are deeply moving and the presentations at Pinkery with their fellow Young Champions demonstrated huge individual growth in confidence and perception. It was a humbling privilege to listen and very motivating to keep working with those that just wouldn’t have the chance had it not been for Mosaic.”